As part of the Higher Education Pedagogies for Teacher Education (HEP-TED) project, the Digital Pedagogy Training Programme, organised by Jamk’s School of Professional Teacher Education, aims to strengthen sustainable, high quality teacher education at Rwanda Polytechnic and the University of Rwanda’s College of Education. The Digital Pedagogy Training Programme consisted of two three-day workshop periods in Rwanda, six online learning sessions, and self-directed assignments and reflections. These elements explored digital pedagogy, learning design in digital environments, and the competence development of the Digital Champions from Rwanda Polytechnic and the University of Rwanda’s College of Education.
As the final phase of the programme, a five-day workshop week was organised in Jyväskylä, Finland, for participants from the Digital Champions group. During the week, the participants were introduced to Finnish educational practices and digital learning innovations. The programme began with an orientation to Finnish teacher education and a visit to Jamk’s DigiCenter, providing insight into emerging technologies and digital learning environments used in higher education.
The week continued with a study visit to Gradia’s vocational education and eLearning services, offering a practical view of digital tools and pedagogical models in vocational training. Participants also took part in a workshop on extended reality (XR), where they explored hands on examples of how XR can support engagement, skill development, and experiential learning.
Specialist workshops deepened their understanding of eLearning design and institutional eLearning support structures. Later in the week, participants were introduced to game-based learning during a visit to the GamePit Center and the Gaming Skills for Studies initiative. They also explored how simulation pedagogy can enhance learning. The final day focused on quality assurance in digital pedagogy, highlighting approaches to evaluating digital learning, ensuring accessibility, and supporting continuous improvement.
The week concluded with a collaborative discussion on future research and development plans, reinforcing the shared commitment to strengthening teacher education and digital competence between Rwandan and Finnish institutions. This shared learning experience supports the broader HEP-TED objectives of enhancing the quality of teacher education and promoting sustainable development through strong institutional capacity.
